Hernia belt



March 14, 1967 H. L oEFFEL HERNIA BELT Filed April 50, 1965 United States Patent O 3,308,813 HERNIA BELT Lester H. Loeffel, West Haven, Conn., assigner to The Berger Brothers Company, New Haven, Conn. Filed Apr. 30, 1965, Ser. No. 452,187 3 Claims. (Cl. 12S-96) This invention relates generally to the field of belts worn for the purpose of controlling inguinal ruptures, and -rnore particularly to an improved adjustable construction of the same.k Devices of the instant type are known in the art, and the invention lies in specic constructional details which permit improved comfort, ease of donning and dofling, as well as the ability to achieve an individual fit using only one size of garment.

It is among the principal objects of the present invention to provide a hernia belt of the class described which may be formed principally of textile materials, and with a complete absence of elastic parts, which tend to uncomfortably constrict when new and lose controlling tension with passage of time. y

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of an improved hernia belt formed to include distinct front and back panel elements which are selectively interconnectable, and which may be conveniently laundered as required. i

Yet another object of the invention lies in the provision of an improved hernia belt in which the pad element or elements thereof may be adjustably positioned by corresponding hook and pile means for maximum comfort.

Yet another object of the invention lies in the provision of an improved hernia belt in which the cost of fabrication maybe of a reasonably low order, with consequent wide sale, distribution and use.

A further object of the invention lies in the provision of adjustable tensioning so devised as to give maximum pad thrust by a pull from a vertical tape and from the perineal strap converging .to a stiifening member, which in turn is directly over the pad.

A feature of the disclosed embodiment lies in the provision of multiple studs on each side of the garment to assure positive sizing in combination with the adjustability of horizontal straps and proper placement of the straps which are passed between the legs.

These objects and features, as well as other incidental ends and advantages, will more fully appear in the progress of the following disclosure, and be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawing, to which reference will be made in the specification, similar reference characters have been employed to designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIGURE l is a view in perspective of an embodiment of the invention in partially assembled condition, and prior to donning by the wearer.

FIGURE 2 is a similar view in perspective showing the side opposite that seen in FIGURE l.

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary view in perspective showing the embodiment in position upon the trunk of a wearer.

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view as seen from the plane 4 4 in FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view as seen from the plane 5 5 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary sectional view as seen from the plane 6 6 in FIGURE l.

FIGURE 7 is a sectional view as seen from the plane 7 7 in FIGURE 2.

In accordance with the invention, the device, generally indicated by reference character 10, comprises broadly: a rear panel element 11, a front panel element 12, and one or more adjustable pad elements 13.

3,308,813 Patented Mar. 14, 1967 ice The rear panel element 11, as has been mentioned, is.

preferably formed from textile material, such as canvas and the like, and is of generally oblong shape. It is bounded by an outer'surface 16, an inner surface 17,

y and a continuously bound edge 18 to define rst and secof the rear panel element 12, short boning members 26,

27, 28 and 29 are secured to sheaths or covers 30.

The front panel element 12 is formed of similar textile material, and includes a main body member 34 bounded by an inner surface 35, an outer surface 36 and a continuously bound edge 37. The edge 37 includes an upper generally horizontally disposed portion 38, outer end portions 39 and 40, converging lower portions 41 and 42, lower end portions 43 and 44, and a lower curved the outer surface 16 by central portion 45.

Extending generally vertically, and outwardly converging in a vertical direction, are a pair of boning members 46 and 47, the same being enclosed by textile sheaths 48. Disposed beneath the boning members is a perineal strap 49 of generally curved configuration, and intersecting with the axis of the -boning members 46 and 47 in the general areas ofthe inguinal canal, the purpose of which will more fully appear. The strap extends outwardly in both directions from a central stitched portion 50 to form two looped portions 51 and 52 having free ends 53 and 54, respectively. Slidable adjustable upon the looped portions 51 and 52 are captured engagement members 55 and 56 which are selectively engageable with the studs 25 mentioned hereinabove. The free ends 53 and 54 are preferably threaded through loops 57 and 58 to prevent entanglement of the same with outer clothing. The effective length of the looped portions 51 and 52 is regulated by adjustable buckles 59 in well-known manner.

Extending downwardly and rearwardly from the lower end portions 43 and 44 are straps 60 and 61, respectively, having engagement members 62 and 63, respectively, for the engagement of one of the studs 25, as best seen in FIGURE l. The engagement members 62 and 63 are preferably of a type through which the straps 60 and 61 are threaded, so as to provide a means for adjustment as well as attachment.

Referring to FIGURE 2, the inner surface 35 of the main body member 34 is provided with pile fabric strips 66 and 67 disposed opposite the honing members 46 and 47, respectively, which strips for-m means for interconnecting one or more pad elements 13 in desired location.

The pad element 13 includes a carrier member 70, including an inner cover 71 having corresponding hook means 69 and an outer cover 72 of soft material, the covers 71 and 72 being interconnected by a bound edge 73. Disposed within the carrier member 70 is a felt member 75 and a foam member 76, although the construction of the resilient means which presses upon the hernia of the wearer may be varied as desired.

When the device is donned, tension is exterted through the straps 60 and 61 and the looped portions 51 and 52 to the perineal strap 49. The vertical tension of the former is transmitted through the boning members 46 and 47, which intersect the perineal strap 49, as has been mentioned, in the area of the inguinal canal. Thus,

maximum tension occurs in the area which overlies the pad element for maximum control of the hernia, while the remaining portions of the device may be under relatively less tension for improved comfort.

Iwish it to be understood that I do not consider the invention limited to the precise details of structure shown and set forth in this specification, for obvious modifications will occur to those ,skilled in the art to which the invention pertains.

I claim:

1. Improved hernia belt construction, comprising: a rear panel element of elongated configuration and having first and -second end portions, a front panel element of elongated configuration and having first and second strap means selectively interconnectable with the end portions ofV said rear panel element in one of several adjusted positions, said first and second strap means being mutually interconnected across a Asurface of said front panel element, a pair of 'straps extending downwardly from said front panel element, and having adjustable means interconnecting said rear panel element thereto in the area of interconnection of said first and second strap means, and stiffening means disposed on Said front panel element and extending from each of said downwardly extending straps to overlie the interconnection of said first and second strap means in the area of the inguinal canal of a wearer.

2. Improved hernia belt construction, comprising: a rear panel element of elongated configuration and having first and second end portions, a front panel element of elongated configuration andhaving first and second strap means selectively interconnectable with the end portions of said rear panel element in one of several adjusted positions, said first and second strap means being mutually interconnected across a surface of said front panel element, a pair of straps extending downwardly from said front panel element, and having adjustable means interconnecting said rear panel element thereto in the area of interconnection of said first and secondstrap means,

and stifening means disposed on said front panel element and extending from each of said downwardly extending straps to overlie the interconnection of said first and second strap means in thearea of the inguinal canal of a wearer; andl pad means adjustably lpositioned upon the inner surface of said front panel element.

3. Improved hernia belt construction, comprising: a rear panel element ofelongated configuration and having first and second end portions, a front panel element of elongated configuration and having first and second strap meansselectively interconnectable with the end portions of said rear panel element in one of several adjusted positions, said'first and second strap means being mutually interconnected across a surface of said front p anel element, a pair of straps extending downwardly from said front panel element, and having adjustable means interconnecting said rear panel elementthereto in the area of interconnection of saidfirst and second strap means, and stiffening means disposed on said front panel element and extending from each of said downwardly extending straps to overlie the interconnection of said first and second strap means in the area of the inguinal canal of a wearer', and pad means adjustably positioned upon the inner surface of said front panel element, said pad means and inner surface of said front panel element having corresponding hook and pile means for mutual engagement.`

References Cited by the Examiner K UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,518,935 8/1950 Resimont 12S-577 2,695,019 11/1954 Welter 12S-96 3,234,937 2/ 1966 Nelkin 12B-95 ADELE Mv; EAGER, Primary Examiner. 

1. IMPROVED HERNIA BELT CONSTRUCTION, COMPRISING: A REAR PANEL ELEMENT OF ELONGATED CONFIGURATION AND HAVING FIRST AND SECOND END PORTIONS, A FRONT PANEL ELEMENT OF ELONGATED CONFIGURATION AND HAVING FIRST AND SECOND STRAP MEANS SELECTIVELY INTERCONNECTABLE WITH THE END PORTIONS OF SAID REAR PANEL ELEMENT IN ONE OF SEVERAL ADJUSTED POSITIONS, SAID FIRST AND SECOND STRAP MEANS BEING MUTUALLY INTERCONNECTED ACROSS A SURFACE OF SAID FRONT PANEL ELEMENT, A PAIR OF STRAPS EXTENDING DOWNWARDLY FROM SAID FRONT PANEL ELEMENT, AND HAVING ADJUSTABLE MEANS INTERCONNECTING SAID REAR PANEL ELEMENT THERETO IN THE AREA OF INTERCONNECTION OF SAID FIRST AND SECOND STRAP MEANS, AND STIFFENING MEANS DISPOSED ON SAID FRONT PANEL ELEMENT AND EXTENDING FROM EACH OF SAID DOWNWARDLY EXTENDING STRAPS TO OVERLIE THE INTERCONNECTION OF SAID FIRST AND SECOND STRAP MEANS IN THE AREA OF THE INGUINAL CANAL OF A WEARER. 